A new digital access and pass system will be in force throughout the Port of Riga from 1 November. From now on, both visitors and freight vehicles will enter the Port of Riga by making an appointment electronically and submitting and checking documents digitally instead of using a paper version.

“When I joined the Port Authority, one of the key tasks was to digitise the port processes. We are working together with our partners, the port stevedoring companies, carrying out pilot projects, studying the experience of ports in other countries on how to make processes more efficient,” said Ansis Zeltiņš, the Freeport of Riga CEO. “The electronic port access system is only the first stage on the way to the comprehensive digitisation of the Port of Riga’s cargo flow. Eventually, the port and the city should introduce traffic regulation solutions to avoid congestion, ensure smooth flows of freight transport, and revitalise urban traffic planning, which will reduce the negative impact of freight transport on the urban environment and the surrounding neighbourhoods,” said Ansis Zeltiņš, outlining the future prospects for cooperation between the capital city and the port.

In recent years, the Port of Riga has been actively working on the digitisation of security and access processes, moving towards a fully electronic document flow when accessing the port area. Currently, the port operates a number of information systems that enable the use of digital access solutions, including checks on visitor applications, personal data and submitted documents, biometric face control of visitors and analysis of car number plates.

Until now, the digital access and pass system has been applied only to visitors and employees of the Port of Riga. From 1 November, it is being extended to freight traffic, with port merchants required to attach supporting documents in digital format, without having to present paper documents to the port police, as was previously the case. At the same time, the new procedure will ensure integration of information and data with any terminal management system already in place at the port company. Such solutions have been connected to several terminals in the port, thus facilitating the work of the terminal, drivers and carriers, as well as the port police.

In future the digitised access and pass system will significantly reduce the handling time per truck, improving the speed of cargo movement in the port. By reducing physical contact between the various stakeholders, it will be possible to plan inbound and outbound transport flows more smoothly and ensure more efficient control and record-keeping. In addition, digitalised contactless solutions are not only fast and efficient, but also safe.

With the development and implementation of the digital pass system, the Port of Riga is preparing for the use of the electronic consignment note (eCMR), which is planned to be introduced throughout Latvia in the coming years. The Port of Riga has also implemented integration with the SRS Customs Administration information system EMDAS, providing automatic receipt of customs document processing status information, and the CSDD information system for automatic verification of car number plates, technical inspection and valid OCTA.

The Port of Riga is currently implementing several large-scale digitisation projects. The most important of these are the digitisation and equipping of the port’s pass points with biometric and machine vision solutions, as well as the new multimodal logistics platform being developed together with other major ports, which will ensure digital integration between port users, cargo carriers and the port authority.